How to Safely Tie Up Your Horse

Properly tying up a horse will keep him happy and comfortable and out of harm's way. The proper tie-up is similar to the knot used for a man's necktie. You can secure the horse to a horizontal pole, or to a vertical pole that has a stop to prevent the rope from sliding down.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 8-foot Lead Rope
• Head Halters

1. Hold the lead rope in your left hand approximately 6 to 12 inches from the pole.
2. Grasp the end of the rope with your right hand, approximately 12 inches from the end. Pass it over a horizontal pole (start at the top, go behind the bar and pull the end out the bottom) or behind a vertical pole (from right to left).
3. Let go of the rope with your right hand, then grab the rope on the other side of the pole again with your right hand.
4. Extend the thumb and pointer finger of your left hand up and draw the end of the rope around the bottom of the thumb and fingers to keep the rope from sliding upward. Allow 18 to 24 inches of rope to hang below the thumb.
5. Keep your thumb and pointer finger facing upward while passing the end of the rope in your right hand down and under the two lengths of rope from the right to the left.
6. Let go of the rope with your right hand, then move your right hand to the left and pick up the dangling rope.
7. Pull the rope upward, then lay it down between the thumb and pointer finger. Leave at least 18 to 24 inches of excess rope below the point between the fingers.
8. Grasp the rope with your thumb and pointer finger and pull it through. Do not pull the end through. This will create a loop.
9. Let go with your right hand, then re-grab the two lengths just above the knot with your right hand.
10. Pull on the loop with your left hand until the rope tightens around it. Snug the rope good and tight.
11. Loosen the rope by pulling on the end of the rope. This is a quick-release tie-up.

Tips & Warnings

• Use opposite hands and opposite directions if you are a left-handed person.
• Always leave enough length in the rope to allow the horse to move its head, but not enough that the horse could lower his head and step over the rope. This could cause a serious accident.
• Always tie a horse to a secure pole and with a quick release in case of an emergency.
• Never tie a horse to an object that may move, near sharp objects, or too close to another horse (they might kick each other).
• Never tie a horse near moving vehicles; the vehicles may spook the horse.
• Never tie a horse near a gate that may open to hit or scare the horse.